Psalm 104: That We May Use the Creatures of God in Such Sort as We Are Willed
thou hast participated amongst us, for the which most excellent and notable gift, we yield thee hearty thanks, although not such as we ought, yet such as we can: and to the intent we may thereby become more cheerful in requiring the same, our earnest request is (O excellent Father) that thou wouldest establish and perpetually maintain the word of pure and sincere doctrine in the mouth of thy blessed Church, so that an alteration of her old Leaven being made, she may (like the Eagle) from time to time renew her youth. And like as thou dissembling the sins of the Israelites, didst not only bring them to the dwelling place that thou hadst promised by Moses whom thou hadst taught, but also through the perpetual benefits of thy excellent mercy bestowed upon that people didst show and manifest, that thy goodness, towards them, surmounted all their mischievous deeds, no less space than the heavens are distant from the earth: be thou (which art our father and we thy dear children) moved with mercy towards us, who are like to be overwhelmed with darkness and lewd behaviors, unless thou presently puttest to thy assistant helping hand. Cause us to find by proof that thou hast renewed the covenant made betwixt thee and us, and (the same being restored) let us with all earnestness, endeavor ourselves to set forth thy blessed law and commandments in holiness of life, whereby not only the earthly Church may render condigne thanks unto thy unspeakable goodness for our salvation, but also the Angels which accomplish thy holy will with a marvelous cheerfulness may do the same, through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.
PSALM 104: THAT WE MAY USE THE CREATURES
OF GOD IN SUCH SORT AS WE ARE WILLED
(Prayer 1) Every creature doth abundantly show forth unto us thy invincible force, splendant beauty, and famous glory (O most mighty God) inasmuch as we see that all things do adorn thee with their whole power and might, obeying not only thy sacred words, but even thy very beckes also: it behooveth us in like sort to be likewise affectioned, seeing that thou hast created all things chiefly to our profit and singular commodity. For we certainly know and right well
perceive how the earth doth continually yield fruit for our sustentation, and how we be helped with the welles, floods, beasts, rain, herbs, corn, wine, oil, and all kind of food: but our nature is so blind, corrupt, and defiled, that the more we are bound to thee for thy exceeding great benefits, so much the stubbornlier swerve we from thy sacred words and blessed will. Wherefore our earnest request is, that thou wouldest (for thy infinite mercies sake) pardon whatsoever we have hitherto committed against thy divine Majesty, and vouchsafe us to depend solely upon thee, will we or nill we, touching our bodily food, so that also our whole motions, strength, counsels and works be fastened only upon thy excellent goodness. Moreover, we humbly beseech thee, not to turn thy face away from us in these our days, whereas otherwise we shall be sore troubled, give up the ghost, and be brought to nothing. Thou hast (O good God) diverse means and sundry ways to destroy thy mischievous enemies: who usest the most violent winds, lightnings, and flames of fire, in steed of thy messengers, for if thou dost look down upon the earth, it trembleth by and by, and if thou touchest the mountains, they smoke straight ways. Sley thou therefore the wicked Antichristians, in such wise, as they may no more remain: and let peace and tranquility be so given to thy blessed Church, that she may joyfully sing, and pleasantly show forth thy most worthy praises, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) It is not unbeknown to thy faithful people (O most mighty God) that thou hast created all things from the beginning to the behoove of thy elect servants. Therefore like as we see the whole world which thou hast made to be garnished with wonderful and most beautiful ornaments: so (we humbly beseech thee) to lighten and polish thy blessed Church in such wise (which is the congregation of such as shall be saved) that thy glory may no less appear in her then in the whole world: let the pure light of thy sacred words shine especially therein, which may cause the mighty power and invincible force of thy Spirit to work more effectually in our hearts, and make the constancy in faith of the believers, so great as they may be more steadfast then the mass of the earth, or foundations and pillars of the world. Drive from thence at the rebuke of thy puissance, dangerous temptations, the hurtfulness of hell, and the prince of darkness: